Is it finally time for golf to roll back the ball?

For years this question seemed destined to remain a theoretical or philosophical one. Even with golf courses approaching 8,000 yards and the Old Course at St. Andrews being questioned as a legitimate major championship venue, it appeared extremely unlikely that the change-resistant sport would act.

Even when Jack Nicklaus put it as bluntly as he could at the Masters in 2016: “Change the frigging ball.”

Nothing.

But a funny thing happened over the past year. Golf’s governing bodies showed a willingness to, well, govern. Last March, the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club announced the first major revamp of the rules of golf in 30 years — possibly the most sweeping changes since the rules were drawn up in 1744.

So this week, when the 2017 USGA and R&A Distance Report came out and noted a three-yard increase in driving distance in just one year across the seven worldwide tours (compared to an average annual increase of 0.2 yards since 2003), people noticed.

People took even greater notice at the language the governing bodies used: “This level of increase across so many tours in a single season is unusual and concerning and requires closer inspection and monitoring to fully understand the causes and effects.”

Changing the ball isn’t specifically mentioned as a fix, but many are reading between the lines. Reaction from players was quick. PGA championship winner Jimmy Walker took to Twitter and suggested a nationwide poll asking golfers if they wanted their best drives reduced by 20%. Lucas Glover, Paul Casey and Ross Fisher were among others who came out against any change to the ball. Phil Mickelson suggested that a roll back would be punishing “hard work and dedication.”

The PGA of America (which represents 29,000 golf professionals and runs the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup) released a statement to the Golf Channel explaining that they are “highly skeptical” that rolling back the ball is in the best interests of the game. The PGA Tour (which represents all your favourite long-bombing golfers) sent a letter to its players about the report: “Having carefully reviewed the data, we do not believe the trends indicate a significant or abnormal increase in distance since 2003 or from 2016 to 2017.”

It appears battle lines are being drawn.

From my perspective, any rollback of the ball must only be done at the highest level of the sport, not universally. Golf’s distance problem does not extend to the recreational golfer. This would require a bifurcation of the rules of golf and separate limits on ball technology for professionals compared to the rest of us. Golf has long resisted this, but it has been done in other tradition-steeped sports such as baseball, with bat technology and materials.

But touring pros seem ready for a fight on this issue. Consider that the anchored putter debate got ugly and it only affected 10-15% of players. This one would be a doozy.

Another thing to keep an eye on is how the PGA Tour reacts. The tour has a reasonable gripe about its level of influence in the game of golf. The PGA Tour is the face of the sport at its highest level, but its biggest tournament is not a major championship. If commissioner Jay Monahan is looking to make a power play and has the support of the players, it’s hard to see a rollback getting done.

My suggestion to get the, um, ball rolling, is the same as it was last year: The Jack Nicklaus Old Course Invitational using rolled-back balls. Who could say no during a phone call with the Golden Bear himself?

At the Honda Classic two weeks ago, Nicklaus reiterated his willingness to help, recounting a recent dinner he had with USGA boss Mike Davis who mentioned that Nicklaus might be needed.

“I said, ‘That’s fine. I’m happy to help you,’ Nicklaus said. “ ‘I’ve only been yelling at you for 40 years.’ 1977 is the first time I went to the USGA (about the ball issue). I said, ‘I assume you’re going to study for another ten years or so, though.’ ”

We will see.

PHIL BEING PHIL

Mickelson was in top form in every way last week when he won the WGC Mexico Championship. It was his first win since the 2013 British Open but it was his mind games that stood out most.

On the practice green before Saturday’s round, Mickelson brushed off an introduction from golfer Shubhankar Sharma because he mistook Sharma for media.

“He thought we were media and he said, ‘Not right now, after the round’,” Sharma said to reporters.

On Sunday, in the final group with Sharma and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, Mickelson asked Hatton — the World No. 13 golfer — how to pronounce his name. Gamesmanship or honest mistakes? You can decide for yourself, but here’s one more example witnessed firsthand at Augusta National in 2015.

Mickelson was in the second-to-last group on Sunday and finishing his warm-up on the range when he walked by Charlie Hoffman, his playing partner for the day.

“You guys have a good one,” Mickelson said to Hoffman and his caddy. “Oh, wait. I’ll see you out there.”

BALL MARKS AND DIVOTS

Tiger Woods is playing this week at the Valspar Championship and is set to play next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. If he makes both starts it will be four tournaments in five weeks and a good sign that his body is holding up as he prepares for the Masters … Woods was asked Wednesday if he regrets any of his intense training and physicality and he broke out a Great One reference in his answer. “The best ones push themselves beyond human limits. Ask Gretz how he is feeling now?” … Canadian Adam Hadwin is defending champion this week at the Valspar Championship, he is a career high 44th in the world rankings, and is coming off back-to-back top-ten finishes.

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